Saudis have a right to be proud

US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia is not ordinary. Trump chose Riyadh as the first foreign capital to visit as president. There will be three summits, the Saudi-American summit, the Gulf-American summit and the Islamic-American summit. This is all in addition to arranging for more than 50 countries to attend in such a short time and planning economic, political and cultural events.

We have the right to be proud of our capability to perform regional roles that are globally influential. Don’t take it from us – the citizens of the country – but take it from the US Secretary of Commerce. During the Saudi-US CEO Forum, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a televised speech that he did not think a country could have prepared for such an event in the presence of this massive number of companies and people in such a short time like Saudi Arabia and the US did, adding that this proves the strong administrative capabilities which will play a major role in achieving the aims of Saudi Vision 2030.

Ross, who voiced his admiration of the kingdom, added that he envied Saudi Arabia for its ability to create this special slogan ‘Together We Prevail’ for this major event, and voiced hope that when the US hosts this event next year in Washington, it can create a similar slogan. Ross added that if they couldn’t come up with a similar slogan, he hopes Saudi Arabia will allow them to borrow its slogan.

This great work would not have been achieved if it hadn’t been for the determination of this country’s people and their work, efforts and mainly their love for our great country.

Great statuses do not just happen. They need a lot of work and a continuation of this work. Thank you to all those who worked for this distinction!

This article is also available in Arabic.

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Turki Aldakhil is the General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. He began his career as a print journalist, covering politics and culture for the Saudi newspapers Okaz, Al-Riyadh and Al-Watan. He then moved to pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat and pan-Arab news magazine Al-Majalla. Turki later became a radio correspondent for the French-owned pan-Arab Radio Monte Carlo and MBC FM. He proceeded to Elaph, an online news magazine and Alarabiya.net, the news channel’s online platform. Over a ten-year period, Dakhil’s weekly Al Arabiya talk show “Edaat” (Spotlights) provided an opportunity for proponents of Arab and Islamic social reform to make their case to a mass audience. Turki also owns Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre and Madarek Publishing House in Dubai. He has received several awards and honors, including the America Abroad Media annual award for his role in supporting civil society, human rights and advancing women’s roles in Gulf societies. He tweets @TurkiAldakhil.